Shutter apparatus for radiators



J. F. RALEIGH. SHUTTER APPARATUS FOR RADIATORS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR I, 1920- 7 1,393,161. Patented Oct. 11, 1921.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1.

J. F. RALEIGH.

SHUTTER APPARATUS FOR RADIATORS. APPLICATION FILED MAR 1. I920.

1,393,161, Patented Oct. 11, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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1,393,1 1, Patented 001;. 11, 1921+ 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

JAMES OI CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO PINES MANUFACTURING- 'i I COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 11, 1921.

Application filed March 1, 1920. Serial No. 362,620.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES F. RALEIGH, a citizen of the United States, residin at Chicago, in the county'of Cook and tate of Illinoisyhave invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Shutter Apparatus for Radiators, of which the following is-a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to a shutter apparatus controlled by a thermostat and adapted to be used in connection with the radiator of an internal combustion engine, more particularly an automobile engine, for the purpose of regulating the amount of air that may pass through the radiator core so that the water or other liquid in the engine cooling system, of which the radiator 1s a part, may always be kept at the temperature most conducive to eflicient engine operation, regardless of weather, the speed of the engine, the rate of travel of the automobile and other variable conditions which ordinarily affect the rates at which the liquid in the 4 cooling system is heated or cooled.

One of the salient objects of my present invention is to provide means whereby the shutter elements of the apparatus may be manually taken from under the control of the thermostat and locked in a closed position, as for instance, when the automobile is at rest with its engine not running, for the purpose of keeping the engine warm for a considerable period of time. My invention further contemplates automatic devices preferably operated by the vibration incidental to the operation of the engine or the running of the car, for unlocking the shutters and replacing the same under the con trol of the thermostat to insure that excessive heating of the engine shall not occur due to the failure of the driver to unlock the shutters before starting his engine and driving away.

These and other objects of my invention will more fully appear as the following detailed description progresses. 'In the accompanying drawings,

illustrating my invention. X

. Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the shutter apparatus of my invention showing the manner of its application to an automobile radiator.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary rear view of the shutter apparatus removed from the radiator, certain parts being broken away to reveal more clearly the construction and disposition of those parts of the apparatus with which my present invention is more particularly concerned.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detailed view of the shutter controlling and operating mechanism, illustrating the locking devices in non-locking position.

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3, illustrating the shutter locking devices in looking position. a

Fig. 5 is .a fragmentary top plan view of the shutter controlling and operating' niechanism. I

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view which may be regarded as taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2, this view illustrating the relative positions of the radiator apparatus and the radiator core.

Fig. 7 is a detailed view partly in section and partly in elevation of the spring which forms a part of the operating connection between the thermostat and the shutters, v

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 3 illustrating a modified form of the hammer spring, forming a part of the mechanism for automatically releasing the shutter locking devices, and

Fig. 9 is an isolated, sectional detail taken on line 9-9 of Fig. Slooking in the dlrection indicated by the arrows.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring first to Fig. 1, it will be noted that I have illustrated a conventional form of automobile engine radiator comprising the frame lO and core 11. For the purpose of the present specification, it will be unnecessary to illustrate the manner of mounting the radiator upon the automobile or the manner of its connection with the water jackets of the engine. The shutter apparatus of my invention may be considered as frame or for restricting the flow of air through said opening to a greater or less extent as may be required for most efficient engine operation.

The main frame or shell 12 1s deslgned to engage the radiator only at the margins of the said main frame and is there provided with cushioning material which is interposed between the radiator frame and the sheet metal constituting the shell or main frame of the shutter apparatus. As is most clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 6, the sheet metal constituting the main frame 12 is provided w1th a continuous marginal bead 15 which provides a correspondingly continuous groove for the reception of the cushioning material which is in the form of a braided cord illustrated at 16. The main frame is held in position solely by a plurality of long slender bolts 17 (see Fig. 1) which pass through the main frame 12 and through the radiator core 11. It should be noted at this point that at its upper central portion, the sheet metal shell constituting the main frame 1s conformed to provide a rece tacle for the thermostat and the heat insu ation of the latter.

So far as my present invention is concerned, the specific construction of the subframe 13 is not of particular importance. As before stated, it is preferably constructed of channel members and is carried by the main frame 12 and by the latter held out of engagement with any portion of the radiator.

The specific means for holding the subframe in the main frame constitutes no part of my present invention and for that reason I have not deemed it necessary to illustrate or describe such means in the present specification. The specific manner of mounting the sub-frame which I prefer to employ, is shown and fully described in my co-pending application, Serial No. 362,515 filed of even date herewith. Suitably 1ournaled in the sub-frame 13 is a plurality of shutters 18 which, when in the position shown in Fig. 1, entirely close the opening or window 14 of the main frame. The shutters are preferably formed of sheet metal and are so conformed that when in closed position, they interlock at their upper and lower margins, as is most clearly shown in Fig. 6. A desirable, but of course, not necessary feature of construction isthe substantially L-shaped strip 19 which is attached to the edge of that portion of the sheet metal shell which constitutes the upper margin of the window 14, the purpose of the strip 19 being, of course, to insure a tight fit between the shell or main frame and the top edge of the uppermost shutter when the shutters are in closed position. Y

Each of the shutters is provided with an arm 18 pivoted to an o crating bar 20 so that all of the shutters will be simultaneously operated when movement is imparted to the operating bar. 2 The bar 20 is provided with a stud 21 which is hollow to receive the offset lower end of a rod 22, the upper end of which is connected with the long arm of a bell crank lever 23 which is pivoted to the upper channel member of the sub-frame 13, as is most clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5. A coil spring 24, having its lower end engaging in an annular groove in the stud 21 normally tends to hold the bar 20 and the shutters 1818 in their closed positions. It will thus be seen that the spring 24 opposes movement of the shuttersto the open positions illustrated in Figs. 2 and 6. The upper end of spring 24 is attached to the lower end of a link 25, the upper end of which is conformed to provide a hook engaging in an aperture formed in the top I channel member of the sub-frame 13.

I shall now describe the thermostat and the manner of its mounting and insulation in a general way and more specifically describe the means for operatively connecting the thermostat with the bell crank lever 23. Centrally disposed with respect to the upper channel member of the sub-frame 13 and retained in position by screws (not shown) is what I prefer to term a heat conducting plate 27, the same being formed of aluminum or other good heat conducting material. This heat conducting plate is held in contact with the front face of the radiator core and serves as the sole means for conducting heat from the radiator core to the heat responsive elements of the thermostat. Heat insulating material, preferably in the form of a wooden strip 28, is interposed between the conducting plate 27 and the sub-frame 13, effectively to insulate the conducting late from any portion of the framework of the apparatus. Struck from the heat conducting plate 27 is a plurality of forwardly projecting tongues 29 which are arranged to embrace the peripheries of the heat responsive elements -3030. These heat responsive elements preferably consist of hollow metal wafers filled with a volatile fluid such, for instance, as a compound including ether among its constituents. For the purpose of the pres ent specification it will sufiice to say that I prefer to employ two of these heat responsive wafers 30 and to separate the same by a heat conducting metal spacer 31.

Supported by the heat conducting plate 27 but insulated therefrom by an annulus 32 of cardboard or other heat insulating material is a thermostat housing 33 preferably of drawn steel, which is secured in position by screws 34. Secured to the inner side of the front Wall of the housing 33 is a small bracket 38 which journals the upper end of a double bell crank lever 39, the lower end of which passes through an aperture in the lower portion of the housing 33. The crank portions ofthe double bell crank lever 39 are disposed substantially 90 apart, the lower crank portion being connected with one end of a spring 40 which is coiled around a rod 41 and .has its other end engaging in an annular groove in said rod 41. Rod 41 is adjustably connected with a link 42 which extends to and is pivoted to the short arm of the bell crank lever 23; as is clearly shown in Figs. 3 to 5 inclusive. Being comparatively stiff, the spring 40 constitutes part of what is normally a practically rigid connection between bell crank lever 23 and the double bell crank lever 39. Spring 40 is, however, capable of yielding to prevent disruption of the thermostat wafers 30-30 in case the shutters are forcibly closed when the thermostat wafers are expanded.

The upper crank of the double bell crank lever 39 has pivoted thereto the stem of a pallet 43, the said pallet comprising a metal disk portion of cardboard which constitutes heat insulation at this point and also cushions the engagement of the pallet with the adjacent thermostat water. It will thus be seen that expansion of the thermostat wafers results in the operation of the double bell crank 39 and that movement thus imparted to the double bell crank is transmitted through spring 40, rod 41, link 42, bell crank 23 and link 22 to the shutter operating bar 20.

The thermostat housing 33 is thoroughly insulated from the main frame 12 by heat insulation 45, which is preferably in the form of a comparatively thick wooden cap. It is unnecessary to provide screws or other similar fastening means for retaining the wooden cap in position as the same fits the thermostat housing 33 very snugly and is held against displacement b the dished receptacle portion of the shel or main frame 12 in which it is disposed.

By virtue of the arrangement of parts herein shown and described, the thermostat Wafers 30-3O "respond only to changes in the temperature of the "radiator core as such changes in temperature are c0mmunicated to the thermostat wafers by the heat conducting plate 27. This is true because the thermostat housing is thoroughly insulated from the main frame by the wooden cap 45 and from the sub-frame by both the wooden strip 28 and the insulating annulus 32, and because of the fact that the heat conducting plate 27 is also insulated from the sub-frame 13 and is so held that it has no opportunity to come into contact with the main frame 12. v

I may say that for ordinary requirements, the thermal characteristics of the wafers 30--30 may be such that when the temperature of the radiator core exceeds 130 Fahrenheit, the wafers begin appreciably to expand and become fully expanded when the radiator core exceeds a temperature of from 175 to 180 Fahrenheit. As the cells expand and press against the pallet 43, motion is imparted to the double bell crank lever 39 and this motion is transmitted through the connections previously described to open the shutters to a greater or less extent against the action of the coil spring 24. When the cells begin to collapse, due to cooling of the radiator core, the spring 24 causes the pallet to follow the adjacent face of its coiiperating thermo wafer and of course, the shutters are thereby caused to assume a closed or partially closed position corresponding to the collapsed or partially collapsed condition of the thermo wafers.

It will be observed that the double bell crank lever 39, spring 40, rod 41, link 42, bell crank 23, and link 22, under normal conditions constitute what is in efiect a positive operating connection between the shutters and the thermo wafers, the stifi'ness of the spring being such that under normal conditions it does not'yield to any appreciable extent. However, let us assume that the thermo waters are expanded and that the shutters are being held in open position as shown in. Figs. 2 and 6. If it were not for the safety spring 40, the thermo wafers would be injured if, under such conditions, any one should force the shutters to closed position. The spring 40 is intended to prevent trouble under these conditions and stretches to permit the shutters to be forcibly closed, despite the fact that the thermo waiters are in a condition of expansion, corstart his engine and drive away without manually releasing the locking devices.

The upper channel member of the subframe 13 is provided with a laterally projecting stud 50 upon which is mounted a lever 51 comprising the arms 52 and 53 and the foot 54. Pivotally connected to the lever 51 at a is one end of a link 55, the other end of which is pivotally connected to the short arm of the bell crank lever 23 at 5, conveniently by being passed by the oii'setarm of the rod 42 as shown. Pivoted to arm 53 of lever 51 is a rod 56 which extends freely through the main frame or shell 12 as is clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and is there provided with an operating button 57 Having one end thereof pivoted u on the stud 50, which likewise pivots the ever 51, is a comparatively long arm 58, the free end of which is provided with a weight 59. At a short distance from its pivotal point, the

arm '58 is provided with a laterally projecting tongue 60 which engages the arm 52 of lever 51, the arrangement being such that when the lever 51 is moved from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 4, arm 52 will engage tongue 60 and thereby raise the weighted end of arm 59 above the axis of the lever 51 as is clearly shown ,in Fig. 4. Having one end thereof secured to the upper channel member of the sub-frame'l3 is the very flexible and comparatively long leaf spring 61, provided at its free end with a weight 62, the weight 62 being provided with an element 63 which extends laterally from the weight 62 over the arm 58 and then is turned downwardly and back under the arm 58 as is clearly shown in Figs. 3 to 5 inclusive. The purpose of the element 63 is to permit the weight 62 to vibrate within certain limits independently of the arm 58.

Now let us assume that the thermostat wafers are expanded and that the shutters are being held in open position as shown in Figs. 2 and 6. Under these conditions the several elements of the operating connection between the double bell crank 39 and the bell crank 23 occupy the positions shown in Fig. 3. The thermo wafer elements by their pressure against the pallet 43 oppose any movement of the operating connection tending to close the shutters. I have found that it is oftentimes desirable to close the'shutters and lock the same closed, despite the fact that the thermo wafer elements are in a condition of expansion corresponding to an open shutter position. For instance, when an automobile is left standing still with its engine stopped after having eenrun sufficiently to cause expansion of the thermowafer elements, it is desirable to have the shutters closed while the car is waiting in order that the engine may be comparatively warm when it is again started. To close the shutters 18-18, the button 57 is pressed inwardly to move the lever 53 in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 3) from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 4, until the foot 54 of lever 51 engages a stop provided for that purpose on the upper channel member of the sub-frame 13. Movement of the lever 51 from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 4 causes the bell crank 23 to assume the position shown in Fig. 4 with the result that the shutters are moved to closed position by virtue of the link 22 which connects bell crank 23 with the shutter operating bar 20. It will be noted that with the several ele ments of the shutter operating connection in the positions shown in Fig. 4, a line passing through the pivot points 0-?) falls below the axis of the lever 51 with the result that the shutters are locked in closed position. The driver may, if he wishes, unlock the shutters by pulling button 57 outwardly, thus turnin the lever 51 in the clockwise. direction (I ig. 4) so that the line passing through pivot point w-b falls above the axis of the lever 51, thusreleasing the toggle lock and again placing the shutters under the control of the thermostat. However, it is not necessary for the operator to release the toggle lock in order ,to be assured that the shutters will be under the control of the thermostat when his engine is running. If he should start his engine and drive away with the several elements of the toggle locked in the position shown in Fig. 4, the vibrations of the automobile framework incidental to the operation of the engine and the running of the car causes more or less violent vibration of the weight 62. Vibration of the weight 62 causes the element 63 to hammer the weighted arm 58 with the result that said weighted arm is thrown downwardly. This downward movement of the weighted arm 58 causes releasal of the toggle lock because of the fact that tongue 60 forming 'a part of the arm 58 overlies the arm 52 of the lever 51. It will thus be seen that I have provided means whereby the shutter elements may be locked in closed position whenever that is desirable and that the driver of the automobile with which the apparatus is associated may rest assured that the shutters will be unlocked and placed under the control of the thermostat whenever his car is running or his engine is in operation. The spring 61 whereon the weight 62 is mounted maybe 'ven the form shown in Fig.8, if desired, 1n order to make the automatic re-' leasing feature of my device very sensitive.

I do not limit myself to the specific constructions herein shown and described but wish to avail myself of all equivalent con- 105 structions coming within the terms and spirit of the appended claims.

What I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A thermostatically-controlled shutter 110 apparatus for a vehicle radiator, comprising adjustable shutters, a thermostat for controlling saidshutters, an operating connection between the thermostat and shutters, comprising means adapted when oper- 116 ated to lock the shutters in closed position, and devices adapted automatically to release the shutters when the vehicle or its power plant is in motion, said means comprising a pivoted arm that is moved to a 120 certain position above center when the shutters are locked closed, and a spring suspended weight mounted sothat vibrations force it against said am to move the latter below center.

2. In a radiator shutter apparatus comprising shutters, and means responsive to temperature changes in a radiator core to operate said shutters, the combination with means for locking said shutters in closed po- 130 sition of a resilient means for connecting said operating means and said shutters, the said resilient means constituting an element of said locking means.

3. A'shutter apparatus for a vehicle engine radiator comprising devices for variabl restricting the flow of air through the radiator, a thermostat "normally mechanically connected with the restricting devices and adapted to shift the restricting devices to vary the flow of air through the radiator, means arranged when operated to take the restricting devices from under the control of the thermostat and to-lock said restricting devices in closed position, and means responsive to vibration of the vehicle by which the apparatus is carried, said last mentioned means adapted when vibrated to unlock the restricting devices and place the same under the control of the thermostat.

4. A shutter apparatus for a vehicle engine radiator comprising devices for variabl restricting the flow of air through the ra iator, athermostat normally mechanically connected with the restricting devices and adapted to shift the restricting devices to vary the flow of air'through the radiator, means arranged when operated to take the restricting devices from under-the control of the thermostat and to lock said restricting devices in closed osition, and means auto- 'matically actuated by operation of the engine by which the shutter apparatus is car ried, said last mentioned means adapted when actuated to unlock the restricting devices and place the same under the control of the thermostat.

5. A. shutter apparatus for a vehicle en gine radiator, comprising shutters adapted to control the flow of air through the radiator, a thermostat for controlling said shutters, means adapted when operated to take the shutters from under the control of the thermostat and lock them in closed position, and vibratory means actuated by v1brations incidental to the operation of the engine or running of the vehicle for releasing said shutters and replacing them under the con trol of the thermostat.

6. A thermostaticallycontrolled shutter! apparatus for a vehicle engine radiator comprisin shutters arranged to control the flow of am through the radiator, a thercontrolling said shutters, means for locking said shutters in closed position, and means automatically operated when the vehicle or its engine is in motion to release said shutters.

7 Means for regulating the flow of air through a vehicle engine radiator, compris-- ing adjustable means for variably restricting the flow of air through the radiator, a thermostat normally controlling said restricting means, devices arranged when operated to lock said restricting means in a certain position, and devices automatically operated when the vehicle or its engine is in motion to release said restricting means.

8. A thermostatically-controlled shutter apparatus for a vehicle engine radiator comprising shutters arranged to control the flow of air through the radiator, a thermostat normally controlling said shutters, means for locking said shutters in closed position, and vibratory means automatically operated when the vehicle or its engine is in motion to unlock said shutters.

9. Means for regulating the flow of air ing adjustable means for variably restricting the How of air through the radiator, a thermostat normally controlling said restricting means, devices arranged when operated to lock said restricting means in a certain position, and vibratory means automatically operated when the vehicle or its engine is in motion to unlock said restricting means.

10. A thermostatically-controlled vehicle radiator" shutter apparatus comprising a series of shutters,-a thermostat for controlling the shutters, an operating connection between the shutters and thermostat, means for manually closing the shutters and for locking them in closed position, and means for automatically releasing the shutters when the vehicle or its power plant is in motion.

11. A thermostatically-controlled shutter apparatus for a vehicle radiator comprising a justable shutters, a thermostat for controlling said shutters, an operating connection between the thermostat and shutters, comprising means adapted when operated to lock the shutters in a closed position, and devices adapted automatically to release the shutters when thevehicleor its power plant is in motion.

12. A thermostatically-controlled vehicle radiator shutter apparatus, comprising a plurality of adjustable shutters, a thermostat for controlling said shutters, an operating connection between the thermostat and shutters including a manually operable toggle lock, and a weighted arm raised above center when the toggle lock is in looking position, said Weighted arm adapted to drop by reason of vibration or jarring to release the toggle look when the vehicle or its power plant is in motion.

13. A shutter apparatus for a vehicle engine radiator comprising shutters, means responsive to temperature changes in the radiator coreto operate said shutters, connection between said operating means and said shutters, said connection comprising resilient mean's,-means for forcibly locking said shutters in 'closed position in opposition to said resilientmeans and means independent of said locking means and shutter apparatus through a vehicle engine radiator comprisfor causing the release of said locking means when the engine or vehicle with which the apparatus is associated is in motion.

14. In a shutter apparatus for a vehicle engine radiator, means responsive to temperature changes in the radiator core to operate said shutters, and means for locking said shutters in closed position, the combination with resilient means tending to revent the release of said locking means 0 an element caused to oscillate by the vibration of the associated engine or vehicle when in motion for causing the release of said looking means.

15. A shutter apparatus for automotive my vehicleradiators comprising in combination shutters adapted to be adjusted to vary the flow of air through the vehicle engine radiator, means arranged when operated to lock the shutters in closed osition, and vibratory means actuated by vibrations incidental to the o eration of the en ine or runnin of the vehic e for automatical y ters.

16. A shutter apparatus for automotive vehicle radiators comprising in combination shutters ada ted to be adjusted to vary the flow of air t rough the vehicle engine radiator, means arranged when actuated to lock the shutters in closed osition, and means automatically actuated operation of the vehicle engine for unlockmg the shutters.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe name this 23 da of February, 1920. I JA ES F. RALEIGH. Witnesses:

ANDREW WINTERCORN, EDNA V. Gusmrson.

unlocking t e shut 

